Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a highly malignant tumor. Evolving researches on CC have unveiled a concept that circRNA exerts important roles in CC progression. In this study, we mainly explored the role of a novel circRNA, circ_0084927, and its regulatory network in the development of CC.Methods: qRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the expression of circ_0084927, miR-1179 and CDK2 mRNA in CC tissues and cells. Dual-luciferase reporting experiments and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were conducted to validate the target relationship of miR-1179 with circ_0084927 and CDK2 mRNA. CCK-8 and BrdU assay was used to evaluate CC cell proliferation. The adhesion and apoptosis phenotypes of CC cells were measured by cell-matrix adhesion and caspase 3 activation assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect CC cell cycle.Results: Our results indicated that circ_0084927 was up-regulated in CC tissues and cells, and circ_0084927 silence inhibited CC cell proliferation and adhesion, while facilitating apoptosis as well as triggering cell cycle arrest. On the other hand, miR-1179 down-regulation appeared in CC tissues. Additionally, circ_0084927 abolished miR-1179’s inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and adhesion. Our study showed that CDK2 was up-regulated in CC tissues and played a cancer-promoting role. Furthermore, miR-1179 directly targeted CDK2, thereby inhibiting CDK2’s promotion on the malignant phenotypes of CC cells. circ_0084927 revoked the inhibitory effect of miR-1179 on CDK2 by sponging miR-1179.Conclusion: Circ_0084927 promoted cervical carcinogenesis by sequestering miR-1179 that directly targeted CDK2. Our results shed light on the circ_0084927/miR-1179/CDK2 regulatory network that strengthened CC aggressiveness, providing novel candidate targets for CC treatment.
Riboflavin Depletion Promotes Tumorigenesis in HEK293T and NIH3T3 Cells by Sustaining Cell Proliferation and Regulating Cell Cycle–Related Gene Transcription
